Breathing device



Nov. 7, 1944.' s. T. BoNlLLA BREATHING DEVICE Filed Dec. 2l, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. M@

1 'unan-n BY ZW/(r @W ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1944. s. T. BONILLA BREATHING DEVICE med Deo. 21, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. @www ,/@f/ Ewa/p BY ffm/(fm,

ATTORNEYS Nov. 7, 1944. s. T. BONILLA BREATHING DEVICE Filed Dec. 21, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

AT'TORNEYS Patented Nov. 7, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BREATHING DEVICE. satulmim` 'refe Bonilla, New rrk,`1\r..r.k Application December 21, 1942, Serial No.'469;`594

Col. 12s-.14)

2 Claims.

My invention relates -to a new andfimproved breathing device, which can be used" in connection-With diving apparatus, swimming masks'and other swimmingappliances, gas masks and other life-saving devices'.

One of the objects ofmyinvention is tcfelirnlA` nate the use of the heavy andfcumbersome and expensive inflatable swimming garments which are now used as life-,saving devices.

Other objects are to produce a simple and reliable device, which can be easily manufactured and used.` f j Numerous additional objects of 'my invention will be statedV in the annexed description vand drawings, which illustrateY preferred embodiments thereof. 3

Fig. 1` is an elevation ofA afloat which embodies the'improvements, and which is'used to supply air to a diver.

Fig; 2 is a sectionon the line 2'-,2 of Fig.. 1'.v

Fig. 3 isa section on the line 33-3" ofFg. 2.

Fig. 4-is a side elevationshowing the invention applied to` a swimming mask.

Fig. 5 isl a longitudinal sectional View ofthe topv part or breather part. o1' the' device which is shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View of'lthe horizontalv valve structure which isshown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 illustrates the reversal of the parts` of' Fig; 6.

Fig. 8 is an elevationof'the insertwhch is a part of the device 'which is shown'n Fig. 6.'

Fig. 9 is an elevation Whichshows the device for clamping'the `insert whichis shown in'Fi'g.y 8;- to the body vof the valve structurewhich is shown inFig.6.

Fig. 10 is a front'elevation, which is taken aty the leftehand side of Fig..9.` j

Fig. 11 is a sectional view ontheline II-II of Fig; 4.

Fig. 12 is a sectional Of Fig.' 4.

Fig. `13is a section on the 1inegI3`-I3 ofFig. 1l.

Fig. 14 is a section on the line' I4I 4 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 15 illustrates a partial mask which is' com einen with the improvedbreathingA device,

The embodiment' ofFigs.l 1-3'shows an` upper casing I and a lowercasing 2. Said'. casings are made ofA metal, rigid"` plastic, or' any other suitable material. Casing-Ijis closed at its. top. Casing 2 is open at itsbottom; The bottom end of casing I is xed in a cup 3 which vhas a horizontal Wall 4, which has `a depending frustoviewen the line r2|2 conical wall 8a: Forconveniencagthe parts'are described with"referencefto thefp'osition shown l-n Figs. 1 and 2, in which the longitudinal axis of the device is'- vertical. Y

Theupper endof? casing 2' is xed to cup 6, which'has ahorizontal wall l', which haga frustoconical wall 8. Walls 4 and l are fixed to each other. Walls Bland 8a are also xed to each other. All joints are water-tight and gas-tight.

Spaced arms- 9 arevxed to wall I and to the edge-of a.A baille Wall I0. Wall ZI, which has a frusto-conical projection 2li, is 'fixed to casing 2.

Pipe I I isl xed to a cylindrical projection of wall I0.-

Inner 'casing I2 is xed to pipe Il at the top of said pipe', and also between the top of said pipe II andwall 4.'

Pipe II hasports I4. Inner casing l2 has valve-free ports I5a, and additional ports which are associated' with respective closure valves Ml. Each valve 44 is fixed to a resilient rod 45, Whose upper end is-xedto inner casing I 2. Each valve 44' is. biased tol-closing position by the respective resilient rod 45, which actsv as laV light spring.

Casing I hasl outlet'ports I5,- Which are normally closed by valves Il. Each valve Il is xed to a resilient rodl I8', which is fixed to casing I by members I9'. v v

A iioatL valve 22, made of cork or other suitable material, is xed to a col-lar 2`3 which isireely slid'able on pipe' I"I. Stop-24, which is xed to pipe Il, li-rnitsthe downward sliding movement of collar 23.

vFloat 25",- which is-made' of cork or other suitablel material, isfxed torcollar 26, which is fixed to` pipe I'I.

Pipey 2-1 isconnected' to a port of pipe II. The outer end of pipe 21 is threaded into a coupling 28, which has' a head whose shape is that of a part of a sphere. PipeBI has a similar head 29,

which ts againsta part ofthe inner Wall of the head of coupling 28. Nut 30 maintains the assemblybetween'the'parts. Sealing gaskets can be used to provide water-tight and gas-tight joints;

Flexible rubber pipe 32 is connected to pipe 3l; Said pipe 32 is connected to the helmet oi the diver.

Extension pipe ,31 is xedto the lower end of ipipe II.` Weight 42'is fixed to` the lower end oi" pipe 3l.

Said pipe 3T`has a Valve seat 33, whose bore is normally closed. by valve 34, which is biased tol closing position by compression spring 35. Fig. 2 shows valve 34 in the open position. The stem of valve 3'4`passes throughone of the bores ofal partition 35; which is xed to pipe 31. Said pipe 31 has an outlet port 38, which is normally closed by valve 39, which is fixed to resilient arm 49, which is fixed by members 4I to pipe 31.

In Fig. 1, the normal water level is indicated by line L. Float 25 has enough buoyance to maintain the device normally in the position shown in Fig. 1, with the float-valve 22 located normally wholly above the water-level. Ports I5 are maintained above the water-level. The weight; 42 biases the device to float in the normal vertical position, like a buoy. f

When the diver inhales, air can enter the casing 2 through its open bottom. The air in casing 2 below wall 2|, will pass upwardly through the space between pipe |I and the flange or projection 29. Said incoming air will flow around the edge of deecting or baille wall I0, together with the air in the casing 2 above wall 2|, through the spaces between arms 9, through the flange or projection 8a, through ports I5a and ports |4, and downwardly through pipe and through pipes 21, 3| and 32 to the helmet of the diver.

When the diver exhales, air will flow upwardly through pipe 32, through pipes 3| and 21, and upwardly through pipe I|, and through ports I4 and I5. If the float valve 22 then temporarily closes the bottom of casing 2, the increased air pressure in casing I will open valves I1, so that foul air can pass into the atmosphere. If the excess air pressure between pipe I1 and inner casing I2 is suicient, valves 44 will be opened, in order to permit the excess air to enter the space between' the casings I2 and I.

If the float-valve 22 is normally spaced from the rim of casing I, as shown in Fig. 1, a wave or sudden downward movement of the device will move the float-valve 22 upwardly to close the bottom of casing 2, in order to prevent water from entering casing 2 If water splashes into the device, said water normally runs out when the iioat-valve 22 is lowered to its normal position which is shown in Fig. 1. If any water splashes into the device, it is normally stopped by baflie wall I9.

In an extreme case, water may splash into pipe II, through ports I4. In such case, the water will collect in a pool W above valve seat 33, so that the weight of such accumulated water will open valves 34 and 39, and excess water will pass out of extension pipe 31. 21 can be located directly adjacent stop 24.

In the preferred normal position of float-valve 22, it is only slightly spaced from the rim of casing 2. This normal spacing will permit air freely to enter the casing 2, through its open bottom.

If the bottom of casing 2 remains open because the float-valve 22 is below its closingA position,

For this purpose pipe 65 has ports 61.

air can freely pass out of the apparatus when the diver exhales, so that itis not necessary, in such case, to open the valves I1 by excess internal pressure. In stormy weather, the float-valve 22 may closek the bottom of casing 2 during substantial intervals. There is enough air in the casings I and 2 to supply the diver for a substantial period of time, even if the float-valve 22 temporarily closes casing 2.

In the second embodiment of Figs. 4,15, 7, 8-14, the breathing device is applied to a helmet mask which has a water-proof wall 46, which may also be impermeable to poison gases. A tight closure for said helmet mask is provided by neckband belt 41, which encloses the `flexible material of said helmet mask at the neck thereof.

Air-inlet pipe 48, which corresponds to pipe I I of the first embodiment, is xed to the hollow leg 49 of a coupling which is shown in Fig. 14. Said leg 49 has iianges 50a., between which wall 46 is clamped. The other hollow leg 59 of said coupling is threaded into leg 49. Said leg 59 has a pipe 48a, in which the ends of auxiliary flexible rubber pipes 5i and 52 are located. In effect, the air-inlet pipe 48 extends through wall 46, because legs 49 and 50 are extensions of air-inlet pipe 48. Eachsaid auxiliary pipe v5I and 52 has its lower end connected to the leg'53a of a coupling, whose other leg 53 extends through a bore of the wall 46, at a respective ear-portion of the helmet mask. Each said auxiliary pipe 5I and 5,2 extends downwardly from its connection with the air inlet pipe. In effect, the lower end of each auxiliary pipe, because of each coupling 53'a-53 is an extension of the respective auxiliary pipe. Flexible branch pipes 51 and 58 are respectively connected to auxiliary pipes 5I and 52. The respective open or free .ends of said branch pipes 51 and 58 are held above the respective windows 59 of the helmet mask. As shown in Fig. 5, iioat valve 6|) is fixed to a collarwhich is slidable on pipe 48. A stop 6| is xed to'pipe 48, thus limiting the downward sliding movement of the iioat valve 60. When the wearer of the helmet mask is floating in water, said float valve 60 is above the level of the Water. The upper end of pipe 48 has spaced arms 64, to which the top of casing 62 is fixed. -A top inner casing 68 is fixed to the top of casing 62. Said casing 68 has ports which are normallyclosed by valves 10, which are fixed to resilient biasing arms 69, which correspond to arms I8 and 40. Another iioat-valve 86 is slidably mounted on pipe 48. Said float-valve 36 has a stop 86a which is fixed to pipe 48. Perforated wall 63 is fixed to casing 62. The inner bottom casing 65 has a bottom annular flange which is fixed to flange 66 of casing 62. Casing Casing 62 has valves 12 which are biased vto close the ports 1I of casing 62 by resilient arms 12a.

As shown in Fig. 4 the mouth-portion of the helmet-mask has an opening in which tube 13 is located. When the helmet maskis used as a swimming mask, the insert pipe 19 is located in the position shown in Fig. 7. The insert pipe 19 has threading 18, by means of which said insert pipe 19 can be ixed to collar 15. Said collar 15 is hinged at 14 to tube 13, and it has a resilient latching tongue 16 which can releasably engage projection 11 of tube 13. Insert 19 has two valve seats, whose bores are normally closed by resilient valves 8| and 83, which are respectively fixed at 82 and 84 to said insert 19.

When the helmet mask is usedv as a swimming mask or as a nautical life-saving device, the wearer can iioat with thel open bottom of casing 62 and iioat valve 60, held normally above the water. The body of the swimmer can be held Vertical. When the swimmer inhales, air can pass into the open bottom of casing 62, through the bore of wall A63, through the space between pipe 48 and casing 68, through` air-inlet pipe 48 and its extension members 49 and 58 into member 48a, and through auxiliary pipes 5| and 52 and through branch pipes 51 and 58, into the sealed interior of the helmet mask, into which no water can enter. No air can enter said helmet mask save throu'gh branch pipes 51 and 58. Since the fresh air flows over the windows 59, said windows 59 do not cloud. i

No Water can enter through members 53 and 53a, because they are respectively provided with float-valves 55 and 56, which can close the bores 55a and 56a of the respective valve seats.

If any water tends to splash into casing 65, this is prevented or minimized by oat-valve 60, which will rise on pipe 48 to close the open bottom ends of casings 62 and 65. The wall 6-3 also tends to prevent any water from splashing above the same. If any Water splashesiabove wall 63, iloat valve 86 will rise on pipe 48 to close the casing 68 and the space between casing 68 and pipe 48. Hence I provide several means for preventing Water from owing into the helmet mask through pipe 48.

When the swimmer exhales, the valves 8| and 83 at the air-outlet part of the mask can flex outwardly, so that air can pass out of the helmet mask in the direction of the arrow of Fig. 7.

If any water enters the pipe 48, said water will flow through auxiliary pipes and 52 to force vthe float-valves 55 and 56 away from their respective valveseats, so that the water will ow out of members 53. The branch pipes 51 and 58 have sufficient rigidity to have the normal shape shown in Fig. 11, so that each said branch pipe 51 and 58 always extends upwardly from its junction with thevrespective auxiliary pipe 5| and 52.

, Hence water cannot normally flow through said branch pipes 51 and 58 into the sealed interior of the helmet mask.

If any water enters the .helmet mask, it can pass out through the outlet pipe 81, which is provided in an opening at the bottom of the Wall 46. The bottom end or outlet of pipe 81 is normally closed by resilient' valve 89, which is fixed by pin 98 to pipe 81. Pipe 81 also has a iioat-valve 88. When water accumualtes in the interior of the helmet mask, said water will downwardly force valves 88 and 96, so that excess water can ow out of the helmet mask.

This helmet mask can be used as a gas mask by reversing the position of insert 19 from the position of Fig. 7 to the position of Fig. 6, and by connecting the mouth 88 of insert 19 to a pipe 85. Said pipe 85 is connected to a source of-pure air or to a filter, which will remove the poison gas from the air.

The wearer will now inhale through insert 19, whose valves 8| and 83 will now flex inwardly during each inhalation. When the device is used 1 as a gas mask, the pipe 48 and the parts fixed thereto are removed, and member 45|! is sealed. When the wearer exhales, valve 89 will open outwardly. y

The embodiment of Fig. 15 shows a partial mask 9| which covers the mouth and nose. Said partial mask 9| is held in position by belts 92 and 93. Belt 93 passes through rigid straps 95 which are fixed to a pipe 94, which is coupled to pipe 48. The outlet pipe 81al corresponds to pipe 81 and outlet valve 89a corresponds to valve 89. 'Ilie wearer exhales through pipe 96, which has a oneway valve 91, of the type of valve 89. The upper end of pipe 48 is connected to the apparatus which is shown in Figs. 4 and5.

The preferred embodiment is the one which includes the use of a helmet. In using this device, the buoyancy of the body of the wearer, plus the buoyancy of a float (whose use is optional), is sufiicient'normally to keep the air inlet of the helmet above the surface of the water. However, many of the features of the helmet can be used in divers helmets.

The helmet which is shown in Fig. 4 may have a rigid wall, save at its neck portion. If any water splashes into the space between pipe and casing I2, said water can open valves 44 and pass out through the` respective ports. Likewise, water pressure can open the valves |1, in order to discharge water from casing The insert 19 has a mouth 88.

I claim:

1. A swimming helmet which has an air-outlet port, an air-inlet pipe which extends through the wall of said helmet, said air-outlet port having one-way valve means which permit the ilow of air only outwardly through said air-outlet port, said valve means being biased to closing position, said. air-inlet pipe having an auxiliary pipe which is located in said helmet, said auxiliary pipe extending downwardly from its connection with said air-inlet pipe, the lower end of said auxiliary pipe extending through a respective bore of said wall,` said auxiliary pipe being provided at said lower end thereof with float valve-means which are biased by their buoyancy normally to close said lower end of said auxiliary pipe, a branch pipe located in said helmet, one end of said branch pipe being connected to said auxiliary pipe intermediate the ends of said auxiliary pipe, said branch pipe extending upwardly from its connection with said auxiliary pipe, so that if Water enters said auxiliary pipe, said water will flow to said oat valve means and open said oat valve means t'o escape from said auxiliary pipe, without iiowing through said branch pipe.

2. A swimming helmet according to claim 1, in which said helmet has a window, said branch pipe having a depending branch which has a free end, said free end being located adjacent said window, so that the air which enters the interior of said helmet through said free end sweeps across said window.

'SATURNINO TOFE BONTLLA. 

